Japanology Plus 2014
What is Japanology Plus?
Japanology Plus is a television series that premiered in 2014 and airs on NHK World-Japan. The program is presented by Peter Barakan, who draws upon his experience as a long-term resident and observer of Japan to offer insights into the country.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2014
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 354
- Runtime
- 28 minutes
- First aired
- Apr 3, 2014
- Last aired
- Mar 12, 2026
- Original language
- JA
- Origin
- JP
- Networks
- NHK WORLD-JAPAN
- Genres
- Documentary, Talk
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 354 episodes and an average 28-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Japanology Plus is a television series that premiered in 2014 and airs on NHK World-Japan. The program is presented by Peter Barakan, who draws upon his experience as a long-term resident and observer of Japan to offer insights into the country. Each half-hour episode focuses on a specific aspect of Japanese life, ranging from history and modern innovations to traditional practices. Topics covered in the series include ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, and bonsai. The show utilizes demonstrative videos and detailed explanations to explore these subjects. Throughout the episodes, local experts discuss their professional passions, while American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences various foods and cultural practices firsthand. The series aims to provide viewers with an in-depth understanding of Japanese culture, delivered in a manner that remains respectful to local traditions. Japanology Plus is part of a broader collection of programs presented by Barakan, which includes the related series Begin Japanology and Weekend Japanology.
Should you watch it?
“Host Peter Barakan explores the diverse facets of Japanese culture through expert insights and hands-on experiences.”
- in-depth expert commentary
- diverse cultural topics
- engaging practical demonstrations
- half-hour format may feel brief
- niche subject matter
Watch it if you are interested in learning about the history, traditions, and modern innovations of Japan.
The series maintains a respectful tone suitable for general audiences interested in cultural education.
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Your verdict
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 30 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Bathhouses Apr 3, 2014
- E2 Ramen Apr 10, 2014
- E3 Mt. Fuji Apr 17, 2014
- E4 Shogi Apr 24, 2014
- E5 Cherry Trees May 1, 2014
- E6 Akihabara May 8, 2014
- E7 Wagashi May 15, 2014
- E8 Ninja May 22, 2014
- E9 Rice May 29, 2014
- E10 Castles Jun 5, 2014
- E11 Japanophiles: Elizabeth Suzuki Jul 3, 2014
- E12 Japanophiles: Everett Kennedy Brown Jul 10, 2014
- E13 Japanophiles: Carolin Eckhardt Jul 17, 2014
- E14 Karaoke Boxes Aug 7, 2014
- E15 Bento Aug 14, 2014
- E16 Bamboo Aug 21, 2014
- E17 Taiko Drums Sep 4, 2014
- E18 Tsukiji Market Sep 11, 2014
- E19 Festivals Sep 18, 2014
- E20 Japanese Gardens Sep 25, 2014
- E21 Origami Oct 2, 2014
- E22 Buddhist Statues Oct 9, 2014
- E23 Yokai Oct 16, 2014
- E24 Shinkansen Oct 23, 2014
- E25 Lessons for Life Nov 6, 2014
- E26 Robots Nov 13, 2014
- E27 Sports Days Nov 20, 2014
- E28 Bonsai Dec 4, 2014
- E29 Sushi Dec 11, 2014
- E30 Geisha Dec 18, 2014
Season 2 · 35 episodes
- E1 Japanophiles: Bartholomeus Greb Jan 8, 2015
- E2 Japanophiles: Ivan Vartanian Jan 15, 2015
- E3 Japanophiles: Alex Bennett Jan 22, 2015
- E4 The Seikan Tunnel Feb 5, 2015
- E5 Snow Country Feb 12, 2015
- E6 Comedy Feb 19, 2015
- E7 Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Apr 2, 2015
- E8 A Season of Change Apr 16, 2015
- E9 Waste and Recycling Apr 23, 2015
- E10 Period Dramas Apr 30, 2015
- E11 Weight Loss Industry May 7, 2015
- E12 Dams May 14, 2015
- E13 Izakaya May 28, 2015
- E14 Craft Beer Jun 4, 2015
- E15 Fermented Foods Jun 11, 2015
- E16 Umbrellas Jun 18, 2015
- E17 Job Hunting Jun 25, 2015
- E18 Japanophiles: Amir Takahashi Jul 9, 2015
- E19 The English Conversation Business Jul 16, 2015
- E20 English at School Jul 23, 2015
- E21 Shrine & Temple Carpenters Aug 6, 2015
- E22 Bunraku Aug 12, 2015
- E23 Kids' Summer Holidays Sep 3, 2015
- E24 Swimming Sep 10, 2015
- E25 Haunted Houses Sep 17, 2015
- E26 Onsen Oct 1, 2015
- E27 Japanophiles: Andrew Mancabelli Oct 8, 2015
- E28 Cameras Oct 15, 2015
- E29 Wrapping and Packaging Oct 22, 2015
- E30 Tokyo Housing Nov 12, 2015
- E31 Japanophiles: Adam Zgola Nov 19, 2015
- E32 Kombu Nov 26, 2015
- E33 Hotels and Inns Dec 3, 2015
- E34 Tidying Up Dec 10, 2015
- E35 Mt. Takao Dec 17, 2015
Season 3 · 34 episodes
- E1 Japanophiles: Maud Archambault Jan 7, 2016
- E2 Silk Jan 14, 2016
- E3 Underground Tokyo Jan 28, 2016
- E4 Earthquake Preparedness Feb 11, 2016
- E5 Japanophiles: Jorge Cabeza Fernandez Feb 25, 2016
- E6 Japanophiles: Pico Iyer Mar 3, 2016
- E7 Okinawan Dance Mar 17, 2016
- E8 Whisky Apr 7, 2016
- E9 Quest for Perfect Skin Apr 14, 2016
- E10 Bladed Tools Apr 21, 2016
- E11 Family Crests May 5, 2016
- E12 Breakfast May 12, 2016
- E13 Footwear May 19, 2016
- E14 Running Jun 2, 2016
- E15 Emoji Jun 16, 2016
- E16 Ekiben Jun 23, 2016
- E17 Bicycles Jun 30, 2016
- E18 Kimono Jul 7, 2016
- E19 Kokeshi Dolls Jul 28, 2016
- E20 Shinise: Long-Established Businesses Aug 4, 2016
- E21 Japanophiles: Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Aug 11, 2016
- E22 Toilets Aug 18, 2016
- E23 Bridges Aug 25, 2016
- E24 A Nation of Singers Sep 1, 2016
- E25 Restoring Castles Sep 8, 2016
- E26 Volcanoes Sep 29, 2016
- E27 School Club Activites Oct 6, 2016
- E28 Smells Oct 13, 2016
- E29 Paper Oct 20, 2016
- E30 Japanophiles: Paul Lorimer Nov 3, 2016
- E31 Katsuobushi Dec 1, 2016
- E32 Day Care for Kids Dec 8, 2016
- E33 Sweets and Snacks Dec 15, 2016
- E34 Hairdressing Dec 22, 2016
Season 4 · 35 episodes
- E1 Japanophiles: Carine Lafitte Jan 5, 2017
- E2 Noh Theater Jan 26, 2017
- E3 Moving Services Feb 2, 2017
- E4 Okinawan Karate Feb 9, 2017
- E5 Sleep Feb 16, 2017
- E6 Tokyo Rail Network Feb 23, 2017
- E7 Denim Mar 2, 2017
- E8 Japanophiles: Randy Channell Soei Mar 9, 2017
- E9 Japanophiles: Zoe Vincent Mar 30, 2017
- E10 Buddhist Altars Apr 4, 2017
- E11 Driving Schools Apr 12, 2017
- E12 Curry Apr 19, 2017
- E13 Cafes May 2, 2017
- E14 Japanophiles: Yoram Ofer May 23, 2017
- E15 School Lunch Jun 6, 2017
- E16 Capsule Toys Jun 20, 2017
- E17 Buses Jun 27, 2017
- E18 Traditional Music Jul 4, 2017
- E19 Traditional Music in Modern Life Jul 11, 2017
- E20 Japanophiles: Nsenda Lukumwena Jul 18, 2017
- E21 Urban Renewal Aug 1, 2017
- E22 Fireworks Aug 15, 2017
- E23 Anthropomorphism Aug 22, 2017
- E24 2D Characters - Origins and Evolution Aug 29, 2017
- E25 Children and Sports Sep 5, 2017
- E26 Amusement Parks Sep 12, 2017
- E27 Japanophiles: Tyler Lynch Sep 26, 2017
- E28 Particle Physics Research Oct 3, 2017
- E29 Shrine Duties Oct 17, 2017
- E30 Special Rescue Teams Oct 24, 2017
- E31 The Wonders of Air Travel Oct 31, 2017
- E32 Japanophiles: Fernando Lopez Nov 21, 2017
- E33 Changing Perceptions of Cars Nov 28, 2017
- E34 The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi (Part 1) Dec 12, 2017
- E35 The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi (Part 2) Dec 19, 2017
Season 5 · 38 episodes
- E1 Ocean Fishing Jan 9, 2018
- E2 The Police Jan 16, 2018
- E3 Japanophiles: Stephanie Tomiyasu Jan 23, 2018
- E4 New Trends in Logistics Feb 6, 2018
- E5 Game Arcades Feb 13, 2018
- E6 Snow Removal Feb 20, 2018
- E7 Shopping Streets Mar 6, 2018
- E8 Japanophiles: Bjorn Heiberg Mar 13, 2018
- E9 Regional Transport Crisis Mar 20, 2018
- E10 Miniature Culture Mar 27, 2018
- E11 Marriage Apr 3, 2018
- E12 100 Yen Shops Apr 10, 2018
- E13 Deep-fried Food Apr 17, 2018
- E14 Lighthouses May 1, 2018
- E15 Japanophiles: David E. Wells May 22, 2018
- E16 Industrial Heritage Jun 5, 2018
- E17 Graves Jun 19, 2018
- E18 Rice Cultivation Jun 26, 2018
- E19 The Ogasawara Islands: A Multicultural Heritage Jul 3, 2018
- E20 The Ogasawara Islands: A Turbulent History Jul 10, 2018
- E21 Japanophiles: Bruce Gutlove Jul 17, 2018
- E22 Roadside Stations Jul 31, 2018
- E23 Summer Resorts Aug 7, 2018
- E24 Yurei: Japanese Ghosts Aug 21, 2018
- E25 Radio Calisthenics Sep 4, 2018
- E26 Underground Shopping Streets Sep 11, 2018
- E27 Japanophiles: Jagmohan S. Chandrani Sep 25, 2018
- E28 A Sense of the Divine Oct 2, 2018
- E29 Earthquake-resistant Architecture Oct 9, 2018
- E30 School Sports Days Oct 16, 2018
- E31 School Satchels Oct 30, 2018
- E32 Aquariums Nov 6, 2018
- E33 Onigiri: Rice Balls Nov 13, 2018
- E34 Japanophiles: David Stanley Hewett Nov 20, 2018
- E35 Coffee Nov 27, 2018
- E36 Meiji-era Advisors Dec 11, 2018
- E37 School Uniforms Dec 18, 2018
- E38 Soba Restaurants Dec 25, 2018
Frequently asked questions
Who hosts the show?
Peter Barakan serves as the host of the program.
What topics are covered?
The show explores various subjects including food like ramen and sushi, as well as cultural practices such as bonsai and geisha.
Who is Matt Alt?
Matt Alt is an American Japanophile who experiences the food, practices, and cultures featured in each episode.
How long is each episode?
Each episode has a runtime of half an hour.
What is the format of the episodes?
Episodes feature local experts discussing their passions alongside demonstrative videos and explanations.